This is a populism move, not pay-to-play. The imminent reality would have been this: many Americans will want to take a vacation to Canada to get a deal on their phone. That just doesn’t make sense.

Where do you see the populism in favoring Apple, Nvidia, Dell ?

[delayed]

Those companies do benefit from not having to pay the import tax.

This being favored by the decision

The exclusion is by category: Smartphones, laptop computers, memory chips, machines used to create semiconductors, flat screen TVs, tablets and desktop computers. Apple, NVidia, and Dell are simply examples of some companies that will “benefit” (be harmed less).

> many Americans will want to take a vacation to Canada to get a deal on their phone. That just doesn’t make sense.

If they’re following the law they’d have to declare the purchase when they come home.

Of course, I would declare the purchase, but I imagine not everyone would.

Yes, but people don’t always follow the law. CBP reported a spike in people smuggling eggs last month, and the margin on iPhones is a lot more tempting.

Let me explain how that works in the real world — you drop all the tags/boxes/receipts for the merchandise, maybe apply some dirt, then you can claim that it's not new and you brought it with you from your home country originally. Also in the airport there is a rather high chance you get to go through the green lane where your bags aren't checked. There are certain manners that help with not being singled out for the bag check. How do regular people learn these? When you live in the corrupt country, you quickly learn how to look ordinary and not interesting to the authorities.

> then you can claim that it's not new and you brought it with you from your home country originally.

And then they can ask you for your Form 4457 that you filled out and presented to CBP before you left the country. Don't know what that is? Oops. Full duties owed on that iPhone then, thanks.